Poker is a card game with a variety of rules. It can be played by two or more people and the object of the game is to win the pot, which is the sum of all the bets made during a hand. The amount of the pot may vary depending on the game, but most games require at least one compulsory bet before each deal (these are called antes, blinds, or bring-ins).

Each player places a bet by placing chips in front of them on the table. Players may raise or call (match the previous bet) or fold. If a player folds they are giving up their rights to the current hand and will not be able to participate in any future betting rounds.

If a player has a strong poker hand then they should bet. This will force weaker hands out of the game and can increase the value of your hand. If you don’t have a strong poker hand then it is usually best to check and let the other players act first.

The term ‘poker’ is used to refer to a specific game of poker that has been developed and popularized by the United States. This game is a card game that is played by 2 to 8 players with the aim of winning a pot consisting of the total bets placed during the course of a hand. There are many variations of the game, but all poker games share some common features.